Scotland produced an impressive second-half comeback to deny a determined Italy side 28-17 in their Autumn Nations Cup opener, stretching their winning run to five games.
The Azzurri dominated the first half in Florence, with Benetton fly-half Paolo Garbisi – who impressed in the final two rounds of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations – kicking them into a 6-0 lead ahead of the 20-minute mark.
Gregor Townsend’s men hit back against the run of play soon after when exciting winger Duhan van der Merwe collected a fizzing pass from Ali Price to go over for the game’s opening try, and his second in three Tests.
The hosts were quickly back in front with a scintillating score of their own, though, as Marco Zanon powered through two tackles and found Marcello Violi, who shifted it to Mattia Bellini and then the supporting Matteo Minozzi to score.
Having trailed 11-7 at the break, Scotland were much improved in the second half, and though Garbisi stretched the Italians’ lead with a penalty, Zander Fagerson soon crossed for a rare score.
Garbisi kicked the last of Italy’s points in the 60th minute, before Scott Cummings and George Turner dotted down in the late stages to seal a winning start in Group B for the visitors.
